LocalASOComparison
ASO.dev alternative: unlimited-keyword web plans versus a one-time local app
ASO.dev is a web platform with plans from $15 per month billed annually, no keyword counting, rank checks every 4 hours and both stores; LocalASO is a $29 one-time Mac app for the App Store, and as of November 2026 the main trade-off is shared server data versus local checks.
Both tools target indie developers who dislike keyword limits. They get there differently, and that changes cost, freshness and privacy.
Updated
How ASO.dev works
ASO.dev says it is built for indies, studios and publishers, supports 60 countries, and tracks keyword positions every 4 hours for the keywords in your list. It shows keyword and ranking history when its database already holds the data; for a new keyword you check it live or wait until it reaches the tables. You can connect App Store Connect and Google Play APIs to automate metadata, localization, screenshots, reviews and pricing, and those API calls do not count against an ASO.dev quota.
LocalASO has no shared database. Rank checks go from your Mac to Apple's public search, results are cached and kept locally, and history starts when you start tracking.
Prices and structure
| Item (as of November 2026) | ASO.dev | LocalASO |
|---|---|---|
| Plans | Four price points: $19, $39, $89, $199 per month | One license |
| Annual billing | $15, $29, $69, $149 per month ($180, $348, $828, $1,788 per year) | Not applicable |
| Seats | Per seat, with unlimited access to stores, keywords, competitors, workspaces | One Mac |
| Apple Ads | One plan text says Apple Ads Insights are not part of it; the top plan adds ad keywords and creatives | No Apple Ads data |
| Price model | Subscription | $29 once |
The page text does not label which plan name goes with which price, so use the vendor page for the tier you need. At the lowest annual price, three years of ASO.dev is $540 against $29 once for LocalASO.
Feature comparison
| Criterion | ASO.dev | LocalASO |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Web, with store API connections | Mac, macOS 14 or later |
| Stores | App Store and Google Play | Apple App Store only |
| Countries | 60 | 52 storefronts |
| Keyword limit | Not counted | None |
| Rank freshness | Every 4 hours for listed keywords | On demand and cached; about 15 checks per minute |
| Volume source | Not stated in the text read | Estimated from ratings of ranking apps, not Apple counts |
| AI | AI Companion (MCP) on plans | Your own AI; local MCP server |
| Data location | Vendor database and your connected store accounts | Local database on your Mac |
| Best for | Multi-store developers who want frequent rank data and automation | Solo App Store developers who want a one-time price |
When ASO.dev is the better choice
- You publish on Google Play and the App Store.
- You want ranks refreshed every 4 hours without leaving a Mac on.
- You need a web workspace, seats for a colleague or automation of reviews and releases.
- You want the vendor to hold a large keyword database.
When LocalASO is the better choice
- You only ship on the App Store and want to avoid a recurring fee.
- You want everything, including competitor research, stored on your own machine.
- You want your own AI to write per-language names, subtitles and keyword fields.
Judging the numbers
Both tools give you a figure for demand. LocalASO's is an estimate; read how it is built in the search volume guide, and test any vendor's by checking whether its popularity ranking of your known keywords matches your App Store Connect search data. See the indie developer roundup for the wider field, and LocalASO pricing if you want the one-time option.
Questions
- How much does ASO.dev cost?
- As of November 2026 its pricing page lists $19, $39, $89 and $199 per month, or $15, $29, $69 and $149 per month billed annually, with each seat getting unlimited access to connected stores, keywords, competitors and workspaces.
- Does ASO.dev limit keywords?
- Its site says keywords are not counted and you can add and track every keyword you need.
- Does ASO.dev have an MCP server?
- Its pricing page lists an AI Companion (MCP) feature on its plans. LocalASO's MCP server is local and included with the license.
Sources
- aso.dev (checked November 1, 2026)
- aso.dev/pricing (checked November 1, 2026)
- aso.dev/compare/best-aso-tools (checked November 1, 2026)
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